BERKELEY – Everything is ready for the starting whistle. The International Champions Cup begins with the match in California between Inter and Real Madrid. Ninety minutes on the pitch of Berkeley’s California Memorial Stadium, just a few miles from San Francisco, and hosted at one of the most famous universities in the world. And if the admissions standards there are considered difficult, then the Nerazzurri’s test certainly won’t be easy either against the side that won the Champions League just two months ago.
The game, which begins at 00:10 CET, will be followed by a return to Washington DC, where Manchester United will be the next opponent in an evening match on 29 July (1:00 CET on 30 July). The group stage will then end in Philadelphia (2 August at 19:00 CET) for an Italian clash between Inter and Roma.
As per the rules, 3 points are awarded to the winners. Matches ending in a draw will go to penalties with the victors claiming 2 points and the losers 1 point.
The other group consists of Manchester City, Liverpool, AC Milan and Olympiacos. The group winners will then face off for the trophy at Miami’s Sun Life Stadium on 5 August (kick-off at 2:00 CET). Real Madrid were crowned champions in last year’s inaugural edition of the competition.
